The role of port operations in the development of cruise tourism: The case of port of Antalya

Cruise tourism, which is evaluated within marine tourism, has significant environmental, economic, and socio-cultural impacts on visited ports. Cruise tourism is an activity that provides economic income to the harbors and creates new jobs. The cruise tourism has an increasing demand in the recent years because cruise ship visitors both have an opportunity to see many countries and cities in a short time and have a vacation on a luxury ship, which has a comfort standard like a holiday village. With her historical, cultural and natural attractions, Turkey is located in very strategic and convenient point and also Turkey is so close to destinations that cruise ships prefer to visit in the Mediterranean Basin. In 2014, approximately 22 million tourist travelled with cruise ships in the World and 1.8 million cruise passengers came to Turkey. The aim of this study is evaluate the development of cruise tourism in Turkey in terms of port operations. In previous studies it has focused on the development of cruise tourism but has not been evaluated in terms of port operations perspective. Semi-structured interview technique was used in the study and interviewed with General Manager of Antalya Global Ports Holding, which is one of Turkey’s most important port operations. Turkey and in the World cruise tourism is compared and has been reached important information about the development of cruise tourism.